Province Funds Construction of CBU Research Centre

A $15-million environmental research centre will be built at Cape Breton University to find industrial pollution solutions and to develop clean, green energy, the province announced today, Oct. 9.

"Cape Breton University is uniquely situated to help solve the world's two major environmental challenges: cleaning up industrial pollution and finding sustainable energy sources," said deputy premier Frank Corbett, on behalf of Education Minister Marilyn More.

"The knowledge gained from our management of such local issues as the Sydney coal fields, Sysco site and tar ponds cleanup will help make the Centre for Sustainability in Energy and Environment a catalyst for global environmental solutions."

The province is investing $2.5 million in infrastructure funding and $5 million in low-interest loans to help build the Centre for Sustainability in Energy and Environment at the Sydney campus. The federal government and Cape Breton University will provide the remaining funding.

The centre will host the work of four research leaders in the areas of mine-water cleanup, cleaner coal energy, green-energy technology and environmental remediation. It will also be the home for an innovative Aboriginal science education program.

"Students interested in environmental science will have another excellent option to further their education in Nova Scotia," Mr. Corbett said. "We want to ensure our young people stay here and build a life in Nova Scotia. We expect the centre not to just be a place of education and research excellence, but to also help create knowledge-based jobs for our young people."

Construction of the centre is expected to begin soon and be complete by spring 2011.

John Harker, president and vice-chancellor of Cape Breton University, said he is pleased with the financial support from the province.

"The announcement speaks to the value of collaboration, and the belief by the provincial government that the direction and focus of the Centre for Sustainability in Energy and the Environment is important to all Nova Scotians," he said. "It is further testimony to the ability of public and private sectors to work with researchers and academics to energize the economic agenda for this province."

More information on the Centre of Sustainability in Energy and Environment can be found at www.cbu.ca/csee .